Soybean cultivar M713612

ABSTRACT

The invention is a novel soybean cultivar designated M713612 with high yield potential and tolerance to Roundup herbicide. The invention relates to seeds of the cultivar M713612, plants of the cultivar M713612, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing the soybean M713612 by itself or another soybean genotype.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinctive soybean cultivar,designated M713612.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous steps in the development of any novel, desirableplant germplasm. Plant breeding begins with the analysis and definitionof problems and weaknesses of the current germplasm, the establishmentof program goals, and the definition of specific breeding objectives.The next step is selection of germplasm that possess the traits to meetthe program goals. The goal is to combine in a single variety animproved combination of desirable traits from the parental germplasm.These important traits may include higher seed yield, resistance todiseases and insects, better stems and roots, tolerance to drought andheat, and better agronomic quality.

Choice of breeding or selection methods depends on the mode of plantreproduction, the heritability of the trait(s) being improved, and thetype of cultivar used commercially (e.g., F₁ hybrid cultivar, purelinecultivar, etc.). For highly heritable traits, a choice of superiorindividual plants evaluated at a single location will be effective,whereas for traits with low heritability, selection should be based onmean values obtained from replicated evaluations of families of relatedplants. Popular selection methods commonly include pedigree selection,modified pedigree selection, mass selection, and recurrent selection.

The complexity of inheritance influences choice of the breeding method.Backcross breeding is used to transfer one or a few favorable genes fora highly heritable trait into a desirable cultivar. This approach hasbeen used extensively for breeding disease-resistant cultivars. Variousrecurrent selection techniques are used to improve quantitativelyinherited traits controlled by numerous genes. The use of recurrentselection in self-pollinating crops depends on the ease of pollination,the frequency of successful hybrids from each pollination, and thenumber of hybrid offspring from each successful cross.

Each breeding program should include a periodic, objective evaluation ofthe efficiency of the breeding procedure. Evaluation criteria varydepending on the goal and objectives, but should include gain fromselection per year based on comparisons to an appropriate standard,overall value of the advanced breeding lines, and number of successfulcultivars produced per unit of input (e.g., per year, per dollarexpended, etc.).

Promising advanced breeding lines are thoroughly tested and compared toappropriate standards in environments representative of the commercialtarget area(s) for three or more years. The best lines are candidatesfor new commercial cultivars; those still deficient in a few traits maybe used as parents to produce new populations for further selection.

These processes, which lead to the final step of marketing anddistribution, usually take from eight to 12 years from the time thefirst cross is made., Therefore, development of new cultivars is atime-consuming process that requires precise forward planning, efficientuse of resources, and a minimum of changes in direction.

A most difficult task is the identification of individuals that aregenetically superior, because for most traits the true genotypic valueis masked by other confounding plant traits or environmental factors.One method of identifying a superior plant is to observe its performancerelative to other experimental plants and to a widely grown standardcultivar. If a single observation is inconclusive, replicatedobservations provide a better estimate of its genetic worth.

The goal of a plant breeding is to develop new, unique and superiorsoybean cultivars and hybrids. The breeder initially selects and crossestwo or more parental lines, followed by repeated selfing and selection,producing many new genetic combinations. The breeder can theoreticallygenerate billions of different genetic combinations via crossing,selfing and mutations. The breeder has no direct control at the cellularlevel. Therefore, two breeders will never develop the same line, or evenvery similar lines, having the same soybean traits.

Each year, the plant breeder selects the germplasm to advance to thenext generation. This germplasm is grown under unique and differentgeographical, climate and soil conditions, and further selection arethen made, during and at the end of the growing season. The cultivarswhich are developed are unpredictable. This unpredictability is becausethe breeder's selection occurs in unique environments, with no controlat the DNA level (using conventional breeding procedures), and withmillions of different possible genetic combinations being generated. Abreeder of ordinary skill in the art cannot predict the final resultinglines he develops, except possibly in a very gross and general fashion.The same breeder cannot produce the same cultivar twice by using theexact same original parents and the same selection techniques. Thisunpredictability results in the expenditure of large amounts of researchmonies to develop superior new soybean cultivars.

The development of new soybean cultivars requires the development andselection of soybean varieties, the crossing of these varieties andselection of superior hybrid crosses. The hybrid seed is produced bymanual crosses between selected male-fertile parents or by using malesterility systems. These hybrids are selected for certain single genetraits such as pod color, flower color, pubescence color or herbicideresistance which indicate that the seed is truly a hybrid. Additionaldata on parental lines as well as the phenotype of the hybrid influenceto breeder's decision whether to continue with the specific hybridcross.

Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection breeding methods are used todevelop cultivars from breeding populations. Breeding programs combinedesirable traits from two or more cultivars or various broad-basedsources into breeding pools from which cultivars are developed byselfing and selection of desired phenotypes. The new cultivars areevaluated to determine which have commercial potential.

Pedigree breeding is used commonly for the improvement ofself-pollinating crops. Two parents which possess favorable,complementary traits are crossed to produce an F₁. An F₂ population isproduced by selfing one or several F's. Selection of the bestindividuals may begin in the F₂ population; then, beginning in the F₃,the best individuals in the families are selected. Replicated testing offamilies can begin the F₄ generation to improve the effectiveness ofselection for traits with low heritability. At an advanced stage ofinbreeding (i.e., F₆ and F₇), the best lines or mixtures ofphenotypically similar lines are tested for potential release as newcultivars.

Mass and recurrent selections can be used to improve populations ofeither self- or cross-pollinating crops. A genetically variablepopulation of heterozygous individuals is either identified or createdby intercrossing several different parents. The best plants are selectedbased on individual superiority, outstanding progeny, or excellentcombining ability. The selected plants are intercrossed to produce a newpopulation in which further cycles of selection are continued.

Backcross breeding has been used to transfer genes for a simplyinherited, highly heritable trait into a desirable homozygous cultivaror inbred line which is the recurrent parent. The source of the trait tobe transferred is called the donor parent. The resulting plant isexpected to have the attributes of the recurrent parent (e.g., cultivar)and the desirable trait transferred from the donor parent. After theinitial cross, individuals possessing the phenotype of the donor parentare selected and repeatedly crossed (backcrossed) to the recurrentparent. The resulting plant is expected to have the attributes of therecurrent parent (e.g., cultivar) and the desirable trait transferredfrom the donor parent.

The single-seed descent procedure in the strict sense refers to plantinga segregating population, harvesting a sample of one seed per plant, andusing the one-seed sample to plant the next generation. When thepopulation has been advanced from the F₂ to the desired level ofinbreeding, the plants from which lines are derived will each trace todifferent F₂ individuals. The number of plants in a population declineseach generation due to failure of some seeds to germinate or some plantsto produce at least one seed. As a result, not all of the F₂ plantsoriginally sampled in the population will be represented by a progenywhen generation advance is completed.

In a multiple-seed procedure, soybean breeders commonly harvest one ormore pods from each plant in a population and thresh them together toform a bulk. Part of the bulk is used to plant the next generation andpart is put in reserve. The procedure has been referred to as modifiedsingle-seed descent or the pod-bulk technique.

The multiple-seed procedure has been used to save labor at harvest. Itis considerably faster to thresh pods with a machine than to remove oneseed from each by hand for the single-seed procedure. The multiple-seedprocedure also makes it possible to plant the same number of seeds of apopulation each generation of inbreeding. Enough seeds are harvested tomake up for those plants that did not germinate or produce seed.

Descriptions of other breeding methods that are commonly used fordifferent traits and crops can be found in several reference books(e.g., Allard, 1960; Simmonds, 1979; Sneep et al., 1979; Fehr, 1987).

Proper testing should detect any major faults and establish the level ofsuperiority or improvement over current cultivars. In addition toshowing superior performance, there must be a demand for a new cultivarthat is compatible with industry standards or which creates a newmarket. The introduction of a new cultivar will incur additional coststo the seed producer, the grower, processor and consumer, for specialadvertising and marketing, altered seed and commercial productionpractices, and new product utilization. The testing proceeding releaseof a new cultivar should take into consideration research anddevelopment costs as well as technical superiority of the finalcultivar. For seed-propagated cultivars, it must be feasible to produceseed easily and economically.

Soybean, Glycine max (L), is an important and valuable field crop. Thus,a continuing goal of plant breeders is to develop stable, high yieldingsoybean cultivars that are agronomically sound. The reasons for thisgoal are obviously to maximize the amount of grain produced on the landused and to supply food for both animals and humans. To accomplish thisgoal, the soybean breeder must select and develop soybean plants thathave the traits that result in superior cultivars.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a novel soybean cultivar designated M713612 with highyield potential and tolerance to Roundup herbicide. The inventionrelates to seeds of the cultivar M713612, plants of the cultivarM713612, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced bycrossing the soybean M713612 by itself or another soybean genotype.

The invention is also directed to soybean cultivar M713612 furthercomprising one or more specific, single gene traits, for exampletransgenes, and which has essentially all of the morphological andphysiological characteristics of cultivar M713612, in addition to theone or more specific, single gene traits. The invention further relatesto seeds of cultivar M713612 further comprising one or more specific,single gene traits, plants of cultivar M713612 further comprising one ormore specific, single gene traits, and to methods for producing asoybean plant by crossing of a soybean plant of cultivar M713612 furthercomprising one or more specific, single gene traits by itself or anothersoybean genotype.

DEFINITIONS

In the description and tables that follow, a number of terms are used.In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification and claims, including the scope to be given such terms,the following definitions are provided:

Seed Yield (Bushels/Acre). The yield in bushels/acre is the actual yieldof the grain at harvest.

Maturity Date. Plants are considered mature when 95% of the pods havereached their mature color.

Lodging Resistance. Lodging is rated on a scale of 1 to 9. Where one iscompletely upright and 9 is completely prostrate.

Plant Height. Plant height is taken from the top of soil to top of nodeof the plant and is measured in centimeters.

Brown Stem Rot. Plants are scored from 1 to 9 by visually comparing allgenotypes in a given test. The score is based on leaf symptoms ofyellowing and necrosis caused by brown stem rot. A score of 1 indicatesno symptoms. Visual scores range to a score of 9 which indicates severesymptoms of leaf yellowing and necrosis.

Shatter. The amount of pod dehiscence prior to harvest. Pod dehiscenceinvolves seeds falling from the pods to the soil. This is a visual scorefrom 1 to 9 comparing all genotypes within a given test. A score of 1means pods have not opened and no seeds have fallen out. A score of 9indicates 100% of the pods are opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: 9281/////A2242////882306-01///S 24-92//S 28-01(2)/40-3-2.9281 is a variety developed by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.,A2242 is a variety developed by Asgrow Seed Co., 882306-01 is a linedeveloped by Limagrain Genetics and S 24-92 and S 28-01 are varietiesmarketed by Novartis Seeds, Inc. 40-3-2 is a line developed by Monsantowhich carries their patented gene conferring tolerance to RoundupHerbicide. Seed of S 28-01 was supplied to Monsanto to make the initialcross to 40-3-2 and one backcross. This BC1F1 was planted at the NKResearch Center at Waimea, Kauai, Hi., in December of 1992. Plants fromthis F1 population were sprayed with Roundup to remove susceptibleplants. Resistant plants were used as males to cross onto S 24-92. Seedsfrom this cross (numbered WX4513) were planted at the NK Research Centerat Washington, Iowa, in May of 1993. F1 plants were sprayed withRoundup, and resistant survivors were used as males in making a crossonto 882306-01 (cross WX4768). Seeds from this cross were planted atWaimea in December of 1993. F1 plants were again sprayed with Roundupand resistant plants were again used as males to cross onto A2242(WX4782). F2 Seeds from this cross were planted at the NK ResearchCenter at Waimea, Kauai, Hi. in December of 1994. Plants were againsprayed with Roundup and resistant plants were again used as males tocross onto 9281 (WX505 1). Seeds from this cross were planted at the NKResearch Center at Washington, Iowa in May of 1995. F1 plants weresprayed with Roundup and resistant plants were harvested. The resultingF2 and F3 generations were grown at NK Research Center at Waimea, Kauai,Hi. in the winter of 1995-96 and the F4 at the NK Research Center atWashington, Iowa in the summer of 1996. Each generation was sprayed withRoundup prior to pod set. In September approximately 200 single plantswere harvested and threshed individually. Each was tested in preliminarytrials at Washington, Iowa in 1997. One of these, designated M713612,was selected for advancement to a second year retest in 1998 and wastested in advanced trials in the northern U.S. and Ontario in 1999.

M713612 was also tested in the greenhouse at the Novartis Seeds, Inc.Research Center at Bay, Ariz. for resistance to Paytophthora sojae in1999 and found to have the Rps1-k gene for resistance, C. K. Moots, C.D. Nickel, L. E. Gray, and S. M. Lim, Reaction of Soybean Cultivars to14 Races of Phytophthora megasperma fs., glycina. Plant Disease67:764-767.

A soybean cultivar needs to be highly homogeneous, homozygous andreproducible to be useful as a commercial cultivar. There are manyanalytical methods available to determine the homozygotic and phenotypicstability of these varieties.

The oldest and most traditional method of analysis is the observation ofphenotypic traits. The data is usually collected in field experimentsover the life of the soybean plants to be examined. Phenotypiccharacteristics most often observed are for traits associated with seedyield, lodging resistance, disease resistance, emergence, maturity,plant height, shattering, flower color, pubescence color, pod color andhilum color.

In addition to phenotypic observations, the genotype of a plant can alsobe examined. There are many laboratory-based techniques available forthe analysis, comparison and characterization of plant genotype; amongthese are Isozyme Electrophoresis, Restriction Fragment LengthPolymorphisms (RFLPs), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs),Arbitrarily Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), DNA AmplificationFingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs),Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs), and Simple SequenceRepeats (SSRs) which are also referred to as Microsatellites.

The cultivar of the invention has shown uniformity and stability for alltraits, as described in the following variety description information.It has been self-pollinated a sufficient number of generations, withcareful attention to uniformity of plant type to ensure homozygosity andphenotypic stability. The line has been increased with continuedobservation for uniformity. No variant traits have been observed or areexpected in M713612. Soybean cultivar M713612, being substantiallyhomozygous, can be reproduced by planting seeds of the line, growing theresulting soybean plants under self-pollinating or sib-pollinatingconditions, and harvesting the resulting seed, using techniques familiarto the agricultural arts.

Publications useful as references in interpreting the data presentedbelow include: Caldwell, B. E. ed. 1973. “Soybeans: Improvement,Production, and Uses” Amer. Soc. Agron. Monograph No. 16; Buttery, B.R., and R. I. Buzzell 1968. “Teroxidase Activity in Seed of SoybeanVarieties” Crop Sci. 8: 722-725; Hymowitz, T. 1973. “Electrophoreticanalysis of SBTI-A2 in the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection” Crop Sci.,13: 420421; Payne R. C., and L. F. Morris, 1976. “Differentiation ofSoybean Varieties by Seedling Pigmentation Patterns” J. Seed. Technol.1: 1-19. The disclosures of which are each incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

Soybean cultivar M713612 has the following morphologic and othercharacteristics:

Plant Type: Intermediate Hypocotyl Length: Long Leaf Shape: Ovate StemTermination: Indeterminate Pubescence Color: Tawny Flower Color: PurplePod Color: Brown Seed Hilum Color: Black Leaf Color: Medium Green SeedCoat Color: Yellow Seed Cotyledon Color: Yellow Seed PeroxidaseActivity: High Phytophthora Res. Gene Rpsl-k Maturity Group II RelativeMaturity II-5 Ave. Seeds per Pound 3100

The invention also encompasses plants of cultivar M713612 and partsthereof further comprising one or more specific, single gene transferredtraits. Such traits are introgressed into cultivar M713612 from anothersoybean cultivar or are directly transformed into cultivar M713612.Preferably, one or more new traits are transferred to cultivar M713612,or, alternatively, one or more traits of cultivar M713612 are altered orsubstituted. The introgression of the trait(s) into cultivar M713612 isfor example achieved by recurrent selection breeding, for example bybackcrossing. In this case, cultivar M713612 (the recurrent parent) isfirst crossed to a donor inbred (the non-recurrent parent) that carriesthe appropriate gene(s) for the trait(s) in question. The progeny ofthis cross is then mated back to the recurrent parent followed byselection in the resultant progeny for the desired trait(s) to betransferred from the non-recurrent parent. After three, preferably four,more preferably five or more generations of backcrosses with therecurrent parent with selection for the desired trait(s), the progenywill be heterozygous for loci controlling the trait(s) beingtransferred, but will be like the recurrent parent for most or almostall other genes (see, for example, Poehhnan & Sleper (1995) BreedingField Crops, 4th Ed., 172-175; Fehr (1987) Principles of CultivarDevelopment, Vol. 1: Theory and Technique, 360-376, incorporated hereinby reference).

The laboratory-based techniques described above, in particular RFLP andSSR, can be used in such backcrosses to identify the progenies havingthe highest degree of genetic identity with the recurrent parent. Thispermits one to accelerate the production of soybean cultivars having atleast 90%, preferably at least 95%, more preferably at least 99% geneticidentity with the recurrent parent, yet more preferably geneticallyidentical to the recurrent parent, and further comprising the trait(s)introgressed from the donor patent. Such determination of geneticidentity can be based on molecular markers used in the laboratory-basedtechniques described above.

The last backcross generation is then selfed to give pure breedingprogeny for the gene(s) being transferred. The resulting plants haveessentially all of the morphological and physiological characteristicsof cultivar M713612, in addition to the single gene trait(s) transferredto the inbred. The exact backcrossing protocol will depend on the traitbeing altered to determine an appropriate testing protocol. Althoughbackcrossing methods are simplified when the trait being transferred isa dominant allele, a recessive allele may also be transferred. In thisinstance it may be necessary to introduce a test of the progeny todetermine if the desired trait has been successfully transferred.

The cultivar of the invention can also be used for transformation whereexogenous genes are introduced and expressed by the cultivar of theinvention. Genetic variants created either through traditional breedingmethods using cultivar M713612 or through transformation of cultivarM713612 by any of a number of protocols known to those of skill in theart are intended to be within the scope of this invention (see e.g.Trick et al. (1997) Recent advances in soybean transformation, in PlantTissue Culture and Biotechnology, 3:9-26, incorporated herein byreference).

Production of a genetically modified plant tissue by transformationcombines teachings of the present disclosure with a variety oftechniques and expedients known in the art. In most instances alternateexpedients exist for each stage of the overall process. The choice ofexpedients depends on the variables such as the plasmid vector systemchosen for the cloning and introduction of the desired recombinant DNAmolecule, as well as the particular structural gene, promoter elementsand upstream elements used. Persons skilled in the art are able toselect and use appropriate alternatives to achieve functionality.Culture conditions for expressing desired structural genes and culturedcells are known in the art. Also as known in the art, soybeans aretransformable and regenerable such that whole plants containing andexpressing desired genes under regulatory control may be obtained.General descriptions of plant expression vectors and reporter genes andtransformation protocols can be found in Gruber, et al., “Vectors forPlant Transformation, in Methods in Plant Molecular Biology &Biotechnology” in Glich et al., (Eds. pp. 89-119, CRC Press, 1993).Moreover GUS expression vectors and GUS gene cassettes are availablefrom Clone Tech Laboratories, Inc., Palo Alto, Calif. while luciferaseexpression vectors and luciferase gene cassettes are available from ProMega Corp. (Madison, Wis.). General methods of culturing plant tissuesare provided for example by Maki et al. “Procedures for IntroducingForeign DNA into Plants” in Methods in Plant Molecular Biology &Biotechnology, Glich et al. (Eds. pp. 67-88 CRC Press, 1993); and byPhillips et al. “Cell-Tissue Culture and In-Vitro Manipulation” in Corn& Corn Improvement, 3rd Edition Sprague et al. (Eds. pp. 345-387)American Society of Agronomy Inc. et al. 1988.

Methods of introducing desired recombinant DNA molecule into planttissue include the direct infection or co-cultivation of plant cellswith Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Horsch et al., Science, 227:1229 (1985).Descriptions of Agrobacterium vector systems and methods forAgrobacterium-mediated gene transfer provided by Gruber, et al. supra.Other useful methods include but are not limited to expression vectorsintroduced into plant tissues using a direct gene transfer method suchas microprojectile-mediated delivery, DNA injection, electroporation andthe like. More preferably expression vectors are introduced into planttissues using the biolistic microprojectile delivery orAgrobacterium-medicated transformation. Transformed plants obtained viaprotoplast transformation are also intended to be within the scope ofthis invention.

Many traits have been identified that are not regularly selected for inthe development of a new cultivar but that can be improved e.g. bybackcrossing techniques or by genetic transformation. Examples of traitstransferred to cultivar M713612 include, but are not limited to,herbicide tolerance, resistance for bacterial, fungal, or viral disease,nematode resistance, insect resistance, enhanced nutritional quality,such as oil, starch and protein content or quality, improved performancein an industrial process, altered reproductive capability, such as malesterility or male fertility, yield stability and yield enhancement.Other traits transferred to cultivar M713612 are for the production ofcommercially valuable enzymes or metabolites in plants of cultivarM713612.

Traits transferred to soybean cultivar M713612 are naturally occurringsoybean traits or are transgenic. Transgenes are directly introducedinto cultivar M713612 using genetic engineering and transformationtechniques well known in the art or described above, or are originallyintroduced into a donor, non-recurrent parent using genetic engineeringand transformation techniques and are then introgressed into cultivarM713612, for example by backcrossing. A transgene typically comprises anucleotide sequence whose expression is responsible or contributes tothe trait, under the control of a promoter capable of directing theexpression of the nucleotide sequence at the desired time in the desiredtissue or part of the plant. Constitutive, tissue-specific or induciblepromoters preferably are used. The transgene may also comprise otherregulatory elements such as for example translation enhancers ortermination signals. In a preferred embodiment, the nucleotide sequenceis the coding sequence of a gene and is transcribed and translated intoa protein. In another preferred embodiment, the nucleotide sequenceencodes an antisense RNA or a sense RNA that is not translated or onlypartially translated.

Where more than one trait are introgressed into cultivar M713612, it ispreferred that the specific genes are all located at the same genomiclocus in the donor, non-recurrent parent, preferably, in the case oftransgenes, as part of a single DNA construct integrated into thedonor's genome. Alternatively, if the genes are located at differentgenomic loci in the donor, non-recurrent parent, backcrossing allows torecover all of the morphological and physiological characteristics ofcultivar M713612 in addition to the multiple genes in the resultingsoybean cultivar.

The genes responsible for a specific, single gene trait are generallyinherited through the nucleus. Known exceptions are, e.g. the genes formale sterility, some of which are inherited cytoplasmically, but stillact as single gene traits. In a preferred embodiment, a transgene to beintrogressed into cultivar M713612 is integrated into the nuclear genomeof the donor, non-recurrent parent or the transgene is directlytransformed into the nuclear genome of cultivar M713612. In anotherpreferred embodiment, a transgene to be introgressed into cultivarM713612 is integrated into the plastid genome of the donor,non-recurrent parent or the transgene is directly transformed into theplastid genome of cultivar M713612. In a preferred embodiment, a plastidtransgene comprises one gene transcribed from a single promoter or twoor more genes transcribed from a single promoter.

A trait transferred to cultivar M713612 is for example resistance tobrown stem rot (U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,035) or resistance to cyst nematodes(U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,081), both incorporated herein by reference. In apreferred embodiment, a transgene whose expression results orcontributes to a desired trait to be transferred to cultivar M713612comprises a gene encoding an insecticidal protein, such as, for example,a crystal protein of Bacillus thuringiensis or a vegetative insecticidalprotein from Bacillus cereus, such as VIP3 (see for example Estruch etal. Nat Biotechnol (1997) 15:137-41, incorporated herein by reference).In another preferred embodiment, a transgene introgressed into cultivarM713612 comprises a herbicide tolerance gene whose expression rendersplants of cultivar M713612 tolerant to the herbicide. For example,expression of an altered acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) enzyme confersupon plants tolerance to various imidazolinone or sulfonamide herbicides(U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,373, incorporated herein by reference). In anotherpreferred embodiment, a non-transgenic trait conferring tolerance toimidazolinones or sulfonylurea herbicides is introgressed into cultivarM713612. Expression of a mutant acetolactate synthase (ALS) that renderthe plants resistant to inhibition by sulfonylurea herbicides (U.S. Pat.No. 5,013,659), incorporated herein by reference. In another preferredembodiment, U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,374, incorporated herein by reference,relates to plant cells and plants containing a gene encoding a mutantglutamine synthetase (GS) resistant to inhibition by herbicides that areknown to inhibit GS, e.g. phosphinothricin and methionine sulfoximine.Also, expression of a Streptomyces bar gene encoding a phosphinothricinacetyl transferase in maize plants results in tolerance to the herbicidephosphinothricin or glufosinate (U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,520, incorporatedherein by reference). U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,602, incorporated herein byreference, discloses plants tolerant to inhibition by cyclohexanedioneand aryloxyphenoxypropanoic acid herbicides. The tolerance is conferredby an altered acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase(ACCase). U.S. Pat. No.5,554,798, incorporated herein by reference, discloses transgenicglyphosate tolerant maize plants, which. tolerance is conferred by analtered 5-enolpyravyl-3-phosphoshikimate (EPSP) synthase gene. Inanother preferred embodiment, tolerance to a protoporphyrinogen oxidaseinhibitor is achieved by expression of a tolerant protoporphyrinogenoxidase enzyme in plants (U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,373, incorporated hereinby reference). In a preferred embodiment, a transgene introgressed intocultivar M713612 comprises a gene conferring tolerance to a herbicideand at least another nucleotide sequence for another trait, such as forexample, insect resistance or tolerance to another herbicide.

Specific transgenic events introgressed into cultivar M713612 are forexample introgressed from events G94-1, G94-19 or G-168 with altered oilprofile, from phosphinothricin tolerant events W62, W98, A2704-12,A2704-21 or A5547-35 or from glyphosate tolerant event 40-3-2.

Direct selection may be applied where the trait acts as a dominanttrait. An example of a dominant trait is herbicide tolerance. For thisselection process, the progeny of the initial cross are sprayed with theherbicide prior to the backcrossing. The spraying eliminates any plantwhich do not have the desired herbicide tolerance characteristic, andonly those plants which have the herbicide tolerance gene are used inthe subsequent backcross. This process is then repeated for theadditional backcross generations.

This invention is also directed to methods for producing a soybean plantby crossing a first parent soybean plant with a second parent soybeanplant, wherein the first or second soybean plant is the soybean plantfrom the line M713612. Further, both first and second parent soybeanplants may be from the cultivar M713612. Therefore, any methods usingthe cultivar M7136126 are part of this invention; selfing, backcrosses,hybrid breeding, and crosses to populations. Any plants produced usingcultivar M713612 or cultivar M713612 further comprising one or morespecific, single gene traits as a parent are within the scope of thisinvention. For example, the soybean cultivar M713612 or cultivar M713612further comprising one or more specific, single gene traits are used incrosses with other, different, soybean plants to produce firstgeneration (F1) soybean hybrid seeds and plants with superiorcharacteristics. For example, a method to produce a hybrid soybean seedcomprises the steps of planting, preferably in pollinating proximity,seeds of soybean cultivar M713612 or seeds of soybean cultivar M713612further comprising one or more specific, single gene traits and anothersoybean cultivar, cultivating the soybean plants resulting from saidseeds until said plants bear flowers, emasculating the plants of eitherone or the other soybean cultivar, inducing cross pollination to occurbetween said soybean cultivars and harvesting seeds produced on saidemasculated plants of the cultivar line.

As used herein, the term “plant” includes plant cells, plantprotoplasts, plant cells of tissue culture from which soybean plants canbe regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that areintact in plants or parts of plants, such as pollen, flowers, seeds,pods, leaves, stems, and the like. Thus, another aspect of thisinvention is to provide for cells that upon growth and differentiationproduce the cultivar M713612.

Further reproduction of the cultivar can occur by tissue culture andregeneration. Tissue culture of various tissues of soybeans andregeneration of plants therefrom is well known and widely published. Forexample, reference may be had to Komatsuda, T. et al., “Genotype XSucrose Interactions for Somatic Embryogenesis in Soybean,” Crop Sci.31:333-337 (1991); Stephens, P. A. et al., “Agronomic Evaluation ofTissue-Culture-Derived Soybean Plants,” Theor. Appl. Genet. (1991)82:633-635; Komatsuda, T. et al., “Maturation and Germination of SomaticEmbryos as Affected by Sucrose and Plant Growth Regulators in SoybeansGlycine gracilis Skvortz and Glycine max (L.) Merr.,” Plant Cell, Tissueand Organ Culture, 28:103-113 (1992); Dhir, S. et al., “Regeneration ofFertile Plants from Protoplasts of Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.):Genotypic Differences in Culture Response,” Plant Cell Reports (1992)11:285-289; Pandey, P. et al., “Plant Regeneration from Leaf andHypocotyl Explants of Glycine wightii (W. and A.) VERDC. varlongicauda,” Japan J. Breed. 42:1-5 (1992); and Shetty, K., et al.,“Stimulation of In Vitro Shoot Organogenesis in Glycine max (Merrill.)by Allantoin and Amides,” Plant Science 81:(1992) 245-251; as well asU.S. Pat. No. 5,024,944, issued Jun. 18, 1991 to Collins et al. and U.S.Pat. No. 5,008,200, issued Apr. 16, 1991 to Ranch et al., thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety byreference. Thus, another aspect of this invention is to provide cellswhich upon growth and differentiation produce soybean plants having thephysiological and morphological characteristics of cultivar M713612.

The seed of soybean cultivar M713612 or soybean cultivar M713612 furthercomprising one or more specific, single gene traits, the plant producedfrom the seed, the hybrid soybean plant produced from the crossing ofthe variety with any other soybean plant, hybrid seed, and various partsof the hybrid soybean plant can be utilized for human food, livestockfeed, and as a raw material in industry.

Soybean is the world's leading source of vegetable oil and protein meal.The oil extracted from soybeans is used for cooking oil, margarine, andsalad dressings. Soybean oil is composed of saturated, monounsaturatedand polyunsaturated fatty acids. It has a typical composition of 11%palmitic, 4% stearic, 25% oleic, 50% linoleic and 9% linolenic fattyacid content (“Economic Implications of Modified Soybean Traits SummaryReport”, Iowa Soybean Promotion Board & American Soybean AssociationSpecial Report 92S, May 1990. Changes in fatty acid composition forimproved oxidative stability and nutrition are constantly sought after.Industrial uses of soybean oil which is subjected to farther processinginclude ingredients for paints, plastics, fibers, detergents, cosmetics,and lubricants. Soybean oil may be split, inter-esterified, sulfurized,epoxidized, polymerized, ethoxylated, or cleaved. Designing andproducing soybean oil derivatives with improved functionality,oliochemistry, is a rapidly growing field. The typical mixture oftriglycerides is usually split and separated into pure fatty acids,which are then combined with petroleum-derived alcohols or acids,nitrogen, sulfonates, chlorine, or with fatty alcohols derived from fatsand oils.

Soybean is also used as a food source for both animals and humans.Soybean is widely used as a source of protein for animal feeds forpoultry, swine and cattle. During processing of whole soybeans, thefibrous hull is removed and the oil is extracted. The remaining soybeanmeal is a combination of carbohydrates and approximately 50% protein.For human consumption soybean meal is made into soybean flour which isprocessed to protein concentrates used for meat extenders or specialtypet foods. Production of edible protein ingredients from soybean offersa healthy, less expensive replacement for animal protein in meats aswell as dairy-type products.

TABLE M713612 was tested in Novartis Seeds, Inc. Advanced Yield Trialsin 1999. Data were collected for yield (bushels per acre), maturity date(95% mature pod color), lodging score (1 = completely upright, 9 =completely prostrate), plant height (cm.), brown stem rot score (1 =highly resistant, 9 = highly susceptible), and pod shatter score (1 = noshatter, 9 = all pods shattered). Data are summarized in the followingtable. Yield Brown Ave. Maturity Lodging Height Stem Rot Shatter Variety20 Ave. 11 Ave. 9 Ave. 2 Ave. 2 Ave. 2 M713612 53.5 9-19 2.7 79 3.9 5.1P92B51 50.3 9-15 2.5 75 4.0 4.2 S26-Z6 50.1 9-24 2.7 80 4.1 4.3 S28-V849.8 9-24 2.3 88 6.8 1.0 AG2301 48.6 9-17 3.0 75 3.4 5.6 S22-N2 46.49-14 2.8 75 3.3 6.9 LSD.05  2.5 1 0.6  8 2.2 1.9 Trait Mean 51.8 9-193.0 76 4.0 4.2

DEPOSIT INFORMATION

Applicants have made a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of the cultivar ofthe present invention with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC),Manassas, Va., 20110-2209 U.S.A., ATCC Accession No: PTA-3634. Thisdeposit of cultivar M713612 will be maintained in the ATCC depository,which is a public depository, for a period of 30 years, or 5 years afterthe most recent request, or for the enforceable life of the patent,whichever is longer, and will be replaced if it becomes nonviable duringthat period. Additionally, Applicants have satisfied all therequirements of 37 C.F.R. §§1.801-1.809, including providing anindication of the viability of the sample. Applicants impose norestrictions on the availability of the deposited material from theATCC; however, Applicants have no authority to waive any restrictionsimposed by law on the transfer of biological material or itstransportation in commerce. Applicants do not waive any infringement ofits rights granted under this patent or under the Plant VarietyProtection Act (7 USC 2321 et seq.).

The foregoing invention has been described in detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding.However, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications suchas single gene modifications and mutations, somaclonal variants, variantindividuals selected from large populations of the plants of the instantinbred and the like may be practiced within the scope of the invention,as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Seed of soybean cultivar M713612 having beendeposited under ATCC Accession No: PTA-3634.
 2. A soybean plant, orparts thereof, of cultivar M713612, seed of said cultivar having beendeposited under ATCC Accession No: PTA-3634.
 3. Pollen of the plant ofclaim
 2. 4. An ovule of the plant of claim
 2. 5. A soybean plant, orparts thereof, having all the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of a plant according to claim
 2. 6. A soybean plant, orparts thereof, having all the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of a plant according to claim 2, and further comprisinga single gene transferred trait.
 7. The soybean plant, or parts thereof,according to claim 6, wherein the plant or parts thereof have beentransformed so that its genetic material contains a transgene operablylinked to one or more regulatory elements.
 8. The soybean plantaccording to claim 7, wherein said transgene comprises a gene conferringupon said soybean plant tolerance to a herbicide.
 9. The soybean plantaccording to claim 8, wherein said herbicide is glyphosate, glufosinate,a sulfonylurea or an imidazolinone herbicide, or a protoporphyrinogenoxidase inhibitor.
 10. The soybean plant according to claim 7, whereinsaid transgene comprises a gene conferring upon said soybean plantinsect resistance, disease resistance, nematode resistance or virusresistance.
 11. The soybean plant according to claim 10, wherein saidgene conferring upon said soybean plant insect resistance comprises aVIP3 gene.
 12. A tissue culture of regenerable cells of a soybean plantaccording to claim 2, wherein the tissue regenerates plants capable ofexpressing all the morphological and physiological characteristics of aplant according to claim
 2. 13. A soybean plant regenerated from thetissue culture of claim 12, capable of expressing all the morphologicaland physiological characteristics of cultivar M713612, seed of saidcultivar having been deposited under ATCC Accession No: PTA-3634.
 14. Amethod for producing a soybean seed comprising crossing a first parentsoybean plant with a second parent soybean plant and harvesting theresultant first generation soybean seed, wherein said first or secondparent soybean plant is a soybean plant according to claim 2 or asoybean plant having all the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of a plant according to claim
 2. 15. The methodaccording to claim 14, wherein said first parent soybean plant isdifferent from said second parent soybean plant, wherein said resultantseed is a first generation (F1) hybrid soybean seed.
 16. The methodaccording to claim 14, wherein said soybean plant of cultivar M713612,seed of said cultivar having been deposited under ATCC Accession No:PTA-3634, or said soybean plant having all the physiological andmorphological characteristics of a plant of cultivar M713612 is thefemale parent.
 17. The method according to claim 14, wherein saidsoybean plant of cultivar M713612, seed of said cultivar having beendeposited under ATCC Accession No: PTA-3634, or said soybean planthaving all the physiological and morphological characteristics of aplant of cultivar M713612 is the male parent.
 18. An F1 hybrid soybeanseed produced by the method of claim
 15. 19. An F1 hybrid soybean plant,or parts thereof, grown from the seed of claim
 18. 20. A method forproducing soybean seed comprising crossing a first parent soybean plantwith a second parent soybean plant and harvesting the resultant firstgeneration soybean seed, wherein said first or second parent soybeanplant is a soybean plant according to claim
 7. 21. The method accordingto claim 20, wherein said first parent soybean plant is different fromsaid second parent soybean plant, wherein said resultant seed is a firstgeneration (F1) hybrid soybean seed.
 22. The method according to claim21, wherein said soybean plant of of cultivar M713612, seed of saidcultivar having been deposited under ATCC Accession No: PTA-3634 is thefemale parent.
 23. The method according to claim 21, wherein saidsoybean plant of of cultivar M713612, seed of said cultivar having beendeposited under ATCC Accession No: PTA-3634 is the male parent.
 24. AnF1 hybrid soybean seed produced by the method of claim
 21. 25. An F1hybrid soybean plant, or parts thereof, grown from the seed of claim 24.26. A method for producing soybean seed comprising crossing a firstparent soybean plant with a second parent soybean plant and harvestingthe resultant first generation soybean seed, wherein said first orsecond parent soybean plant is the inbred soybean plant of claim
 6. 27.The method according to claim 26, wherein said first parent soybeanplant is different from said second parent soybean plant, wherein saidresultant seed is a first generation (F1) hybrid soybean seed.
 28. Amethod to produce a hybrid soybean seed comprising the steps of: a)planting in pollinating proximity seeds of soybean cultivar M713612,seed of said cultivar having been deposited under ATCC Accession No:PTA-3634, or seeds of a soybean plant having all the physiological andmorphological characteristics of a plant of cultivar M713612, or seedsof a soybean plant having all the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of a plant of cultivar M713612 and further comprisingone or more single gene transferred traits, and seeds of another soybeancultivar; b) cultivating soybean plants resulting from said seeds untilsaid plants bear flowers; c) emasculating the male flower parts of theplants of either one or the other soybean cultivar; d) inducing crosspollination to occur between said soybean cultivars; and harvestingseeds produced on said emasculated plants of the cultivar.
 29. Themethod according to claim 28, wherein said one parent has all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of inbred soybean lineM713612, seed of said line having been deposited under ATCC AccessionNo: PTA-3634, and further comprises a single gene transferred trait. 30.The method according to claim 28 wherein said step of identifying saidinbred plant comprises: identifying plants with decreased vigor comparedto hybrid plants grown from said hybrid seed.
 31. A method comprisingintrogressing a single gene trait into inbred soybean line M713612, seedof said line having been deposited under ATCC Accession No: PTA-3634,using one or more markers for marker assisted selection among soybeanlines to be used in a soybean breeding program, the markers beingassociated with said single gene trait, wherein the resulting soybeanline has essentially all the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of a plant of inbred line M713612 and further comprisessaid single gene trait.
 32. A first generation (F₁) hybrid soybean plantproduced by growing said hybrid soybean seed of claim
 28. 33. A methodfor developing a soybean plant in a soybean breeding program using plantbreeding techniques, which include employing a soybean plant, or itsparts thereof, as a source of breeding material, comprising: using thesoybean plant, or its parts thereof, of claim 2 as a source of breedingmaterial.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein plant breeding techniquesare selected from the group of: recurrent selection, backcrossing,pedigree breeding, restriction fragment length polymorphism enhancedselection, genetic marker enhanced selection, and transformation.
 35. Asoybean plant according to claim 6, wherein said single gene transferredtrait comprises a gene which is first introduced by transgenic methodsinto a soybean line different from said inbred soybean line M713612 andthen introgressed into said inbred soybean line M713612.
 36. Seeds of aplant according to claim 6.